Pope Francis Braves Rain To Greet Crowds

The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him.

Once Francis reached the covered platform at the top of the piazza steps, an aide brought him a roll of paper towels and he wiped his brow. His white cassock was visibly damp.

Francis praised the crowd for their "courage" in braving the rain.

Also on HuffPost:

Close



Pope Francis in the Rain

of





Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives for his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives for his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2103. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The rain hasn't stopped Pope Francis. The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives for his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2103. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives for his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The rain hasn't stopped Pope Francis. The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives for his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The rain hasn't stopped Pope Francis. The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The rain hasn't stopped Pope Francis. The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The rain hasn't stopped Pope Francis. The 76-year-old pontiff, who lost part of a lung during his youth to an infection, got soaked Wednesday as he braved a brief spring shower to kiss babies and greet crowds at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. Zooming around the piazza in his open-air jeep, Francis had no umbrella or cover over him as he made his way through a sea of brightly colored umbrellas, happily stopping to caress and kiss babies handed up to him. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives for his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2103. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

A white shirt thrown by a pilgrim flies over Pope Francis's back as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pilgrims and faithful wait for Pope Francis, prior to his weekly general audience in St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis, top left, waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis waves to faithful as he arrives for his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 29, 2103. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis kisses a child on May 29, 2013 as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St Peter's square at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis (L) waves to the crowd from his popemobile as he arrives for his general audience at St Peter's square at the Vatican on May 29, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis blesses a child on May 29, 2013 as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St Peter's square at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis vawes at the crowd on May 29, 2013 as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St Peter's square at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)